Drive with care - it's motorcycle season

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Just as we make changes to prepare for the spring and summer seasons at home, motorists need to 'retool' their approach to driving on the road. Put your winter driving skills on the back burner and focus on warm weather driving issues.

One of these changes will be the addition of motorcycles to our roads. Especlally as gas prices stay high, more and more motorists are using motorcycles to get around.

Motorcycle fatality crashes in Iowa declined from 2007-2011, despite a rise in motorcycle registrations and licenses issued. Sustained high fuel prices are changing this trend, with more people looking to find more fuel efficient transportation this summer. Those added number of motorcycles on our roads could then lead to a higher number of motorcycle-involved crashes.

The Iowa State Patrol is committed to doing its part to ensure the safety of all motorists. Here are several tips for motorists and motorcyclists alike as we drive the roads this busy traffic season.

Motorcyclists:

oWear a helmet along with bright colored clothing.

oDrive defensively. Expect other vehicles not to see you.

oDrive with headlamps on during the day. Modulating headlights increase your visibility.

oAvoid alcohol when driving. Physical impairment begins at just one drink.

Motorists:

oGive motorcycles the same respect as other vehicles when passing.

oLook twice before you pull out from a stop sign or turn left across traffic.

oDrive defensively. Actively look for motorcycles.

oAvoid distractions.

Prepare yourself now for the new challenges the warm weather brings on our roads. The life you save may be your own, or that of a family member.